Catholic Charities ‘Adopt-a-Family’ program begins

GOSHEN, N.Y. >> The “Adopta-Family” holiday program conducted by Catholic Charities of Orange, Sullivan and Ulster is now underway.

Each year, the notfor-profit human service agency matches families referred by Catholic Charities’ case managers with donors who “adopt” them for Christmas. Last year, thousands of dollars in Christmas gifts were distributed to hundreds of children and families throughout the Catholic Charities service area.

Each autumn, Catholic Charities collects the names and details of families with children that need a helping hand for the holidays. Information includes such items as children’s age, gender, clothing size, special interests and possible gift suggestions. For children age 12 and under, it is requested that the gift include an outfit (shirt and pants) and an age-appropriate toy.

The details are provided to donors who have volunteered to “adopt” a family for Christmas. Adopters are frequently businesses, scout troops, school groups, office co-workers, classmates, civic groups, adult siblings, and families — anyone who is looking to create a brighter Christmas for a youngster. Anyone looking to have a family added to the “adoption” list should work with their case manager to have their information shared with Catholic Charities.

Those looking to adopt a family should contact

Michael Peters at (845) 562-4733 or by sending an email to michael.peters@ cccsos.org. Gifts should

be delivered to Catholic Charities for distribution to families no later than Dec. 13.

Gifts are distributed by Catholic Charities employees to the adopted families between Dec. 16 and Dec. 23.